Terengganu MB denies ‘cold war’ claims between state and federal govts

KUALA BERANG: Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar has denied allegations of a “cold war” between state leaders and the Federal Government.

This follows their absence at a programme held in conjunction with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to the state last Thursday (Jan 12).

Ahmad Samsuri said the state government had no problems working with the Federal Government, especially involving common interests, adding that their absence was due to miscommunication.

"What happened was due to a communication problem and I don’t want to prolong this issue,” he said after handing over house keys to owners of Tajin Sejahtera affordable houses in Kampung Tajin, Hulu Terengganu here.

“During the Prime Minister's recent visit, I was not informed of any specific business with the state government. Therefore, we only helped in terms of logistics and transport... nothing else was requested," he said.

He added that previous practice involved the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) informing the state government of the purpose of the visit and who is involved.

Ahmad Samsuri said so far, the state government has not been called for any official meeting with the central government.

However, he said he was expected to attend a ceremony where the Prime Minister will deliver his mandate to state government heads and Cabinet ministers in Kuala Lumpur this Thursday (Jan 19).

In another development, Ahmad Samsuri said he left it to the authorities to investigate Terengganu Umno's claim that PAS distributed money to the people during the 15th General Election in November last year.

"That is the right provided by the GE law to any party who is not satisfied for any reason. The petition will be dealt with in a legal manner by all parties,” he said.

On Jan 3, Terengganu Umno chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Said filed a petition at the Kuala Terengganu High Court to annul the GE15 results involving the Marang, Kemaman and Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seats, alleging that PAS had bribed voters by distributing financial aid a few days before polling day. - Bernama